Rotterdam Convention

5 May 2015: In an address at the opening of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner stressed that 2015 is a pivotal year for environment and development policy making, and said the sound management of chemicals and waste can support the implementation of many of the proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those on poverty eradication, health, agriculture, water, industrial growth and employment.

This science fair will convene in parallel with a segment of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, which will address the theme 'From Science to action, working for a safer tomorrow'. Closely reflecting this theme, the science fair aims to: increase understanding of the scientific basis of the three conventions; clarify the scientific processes established under the conventions for their effective implementation; and increase awareness and understanding of the in-depth scientific considerations relating to decision-making under the three conventions.

6 May 2014: The Geneva Environment Network Secretariat convened a panel discussion on Integrating the Sound Management of Chemicals in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Attended by over 70 participants, the panel addressed the contribution of sound chemicals management to the three pillars of sustainable development, and chemicals management to be included in the SDGs.

The 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Basel Convention, seventh meeting of the COP to the Rotterdam Convention, and seventh meeting of the COP to the Stockholm Convention are expected to convene back-to-back in May 2015.

October 2012: The Secretariats of the Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions have released details of the current contributions to the Technical Cooperation Trust Fund of the Basel Convention, and the Special Voluntary Trust Funds of the Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention for the implementation of the Conventions' Programmes of Work (PoW), as approved by their respective Conferences of the Parties (COPs).

The joint bureaux meeting will determine the schedule for the Ordinary and Extraordinary Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, which are scheduled to be held back-to-back from 28 April-10 May 2013, in Geneva, Switzerland.

16 August 2012: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat and the Secretariat of the chemicals conventions participated in a joint retreat hosted by GEF CEO Naoko Ishii, during which they re-commited to joint work to achieve co-benefits for the sound management of chemicals.

The ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions will convene back-to-back from 28 April-10 May 2013, in Geneva, Switzerland. Regional consultations are scheduled for 27 April. A high-level segment (HLS) attended by ministers and deputy ministers is scheduled from 9-10 May on the theme of synergies and national implementation of the three conventions. Ministerial round tables will take place on the afternoon of 9 May, followed by a ministerial dinner that evening, and a presentation of conclusions of the ministerial panels to plenary on the morning of 10 May.

May 2012: As part of the ongoing synergies process among the chemicals and wastes conventions, Jim Willis, Joint Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention), the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (Stockholm Convention), and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam Convention), has posted the first quarterly management oversight report for 2012.